Leaf sheaths of the young shoots almost completely
connate, devoid of lateral auricles, smooth; the basal ones disintegrating into
fibres.

Ligule collar-shaped, very short, glabrous.

Leaf blades of the young shoots 10-25 cm long, 0.5-0.75
mm wide, folded (seldom flat). Cross-section irregularly hexagonal, keeled, with
five vascular bundles and adaxially three to five ribs and four
grooves.

In alpine to subalpine sites on pastures and meadows, on turf
that is covered by snow for much of the year. On acidic (not on neutral or
alkaline), nutrient-deficient soil with intermediate humus content. Indicates
intermediate moisture, acid soil and light.

All-purpose grass for silicious sites, tolerant of nutrients
but not dependent on them, tolerant of cutting.

In seed production Festuca picturata has no special
requirements. As for all fescues, moist or waterlogged soil, peat and light, dry
soil and soils with high weed infestation should be avoided. Competition with
weeds is low. Locations with annual meadow grass and rough meadow grass (Poa
annua and Poa trivialis) should therefore be avoided. Seed production
is unproblematic with a pH between 5 and 7.

CULTIVATION

Open sowing is possible if carried out until the end of June
(or beginning of July in mild climates) at the latest. Irrigation must be
available in case of late sowing. Because of the plants slow juvenile
development and low competition, nurse crops in autumn are not recommended.
Nurse crops in spring underneath summer cereals or linseed are unproblematic if
the cover crop does not produce too much shade. The slow juvenile development
means that seeding has to be done immediately after the seeding of the cover
crop.

Seed depth: no more than 0.5 cm.

Seed rate: 8-10 kg/ha

Row spacing: 15-20 cm. Broadcast sowing is
possible.

FERTILIZATION

Festuca picturata has no special requirements. An
intermediate supply of nutrients is sufficient for a satisfactory crop
yield.

Phosphorus and potassium: for soil with intermediate
phosphorus and potassium content, fertilization with stable manure (15-20
tonnes/ha) is sufficient. For mineral fertilization, the amounts should be
between 40 and 60 kg/ha P2O5 and 80 to 100 kg/ha
K2O.

Nitrogen: sufficient nitrogen in autumn guarantees
satisfactory tillering. However, a surplus of nitrogen in late spring may
decrease the development of spermatophores. The amount of nitrogen necessary for
seed development is about 70 kg/ha N-total. This should be split and applied in
autumn and early spring.

MAINTENANCE AND WEED CONTROL

Generally the same guidelines as for all fescues apply.
Festuca picturata has an extremely slow juvenile development and grows
very low. Stands can become cespitous after the first harvest. If second and
third harvests are planned, stands need to be thinned (see chewings
fescue). This species is generally tolerant of herbicides. For application of
hormonetype and broad-spectrum herbicides see Table 3.

The use of herbicides is necessary even for low weed
infestation. Early application is important because high weed competition has a
disproportionately high impact on the crop yield. As for all fescues, there is a
wide range of grass herbicides that can be used for weed control (see Table
3).

HARVEST AND YIELDS

Resistance to lodging: high, in wellmaintained
populations with high crop yields, to intermediate.

Ripening period: usually shortly before chewings
fescue, under average conditions in the second half of June.

Harvesting techniques: unproblematic as for all
fescues. Swath threshing is possible, but should only be done in years with damp
or uncertain weather. Seeds have a good seed flow and can be cleaned
easily.

Crop yields: crop yields may be higher in the second
harvest year. In practice a harvest is between 150 and 250 kg/ha. However, the
yield potential is estimated to be higher.

Thanks to various weed controls, up to three harvesting years are possible.